The current population of orangutans is less than 60,000 individuals, which makes them threatened to extinction.

The Center for Great Apes’ mission is to provide a permanent sanctuary for orangutans and chimpanzees who have been retired from the entertainment industry, from research, or who are no longer wanted as pets. The Center provides care with dignity in a safe, healthy, and enriching environment for great apes in need of lifetime care.

Bam Bam was born at a commercial breeder’s Florida facility. He was sold to a California trainer and worked in several entertainment venues. His longest “job” lasted two years in the TV soap opera Passions, where he played the part of an orangutan nurse. At age six, Bam Bam, was becoming too strong to be worked and was nearing his retirement from the television business. That's when Center for Great Apes took him in.